Pacific Northwest - Looking for a new life and career in Portland (OR). Request help and suggestions.

I've just about had it here in Florida. :twitchy:
My career recently collapsed and subsequently left me with no ties, no lease and
nothing holding me back (and almost no baggage. :D )
It's time I follow a dream and relocate to Portland, OR. :love:

But where to start?
I would happily bike EVERYWHERE and really look forward to a cycling friendly city. But I do not want to move without a job in mind. I'm a mechanical and technical kind of guy, are there decent jobs in the area or would I just be adding to a problematic situation?

Are there certain areas better for cyclists than others? Inside the city or the suburbs?

I'm just asking for a helping hand and a possible guide for the area. If I had a clear path, I'd leave tomorrow.

Thanks

CE

Spent a few years in Portland (many years ago), attending university. The city overall is good for cycling, with only a few neighborhoods less friendly.

I'd suggest you check out BikePortland (http://bikeportland.org/), to start getting a feel for the city. Jonathan seems to have his hand on the cycling pulse of Portland, and on Friday's, often updates the cycling-related job postings.

Portland is supposed to be one of the bike-friendliest cities in America. I can't say much about it; I live about 175 miles north, and don't visit that often. Take my advice with a grain of salt, and if anybody else posts anything more specific, take their word over mine.

You definitely want to live as close to downtown as you can. This will put everything you're likely to need pretty close to everything else you'll need. I live 3 to 4 miles outside of downtown in Seattle, and while it's rare that I have to actually go into DT ( the financial district ) it's not the situation in the suburbs, where the grocery store is five miles to the east, and the bike shop is five miles to the west.

I'd start looking at the Portland Craigslist for jobs. You probably won't be able to get one without a local address, but that will give you an idea of what the job market is like.

Don't move out here unless you have a lead on a job. The market is very tough right now.
Every day i hear someone come into some place I am at and ask if they are hiring. Offices, restaurants, even manufacturing plants for cardboard boxes!

Furthermore, are you planning on renting or buying?
If you can afford to buy a condo there are some amazing deals all over town but from a bike friendly aspect of enjoying Portland at its finest I would try to situate withing 2 miles of downtown.

The rental market on the east side is inflated (at least for the desirable neighborhoods). No matter where you look though, every one loves their neighborhood.

I've lived in SW, W, downtown, vancouver, SE, and NW, from what I gather a key aspect when considering a move is the walk-ability of prospective houses. Right now I can shop, dine, carouse and live within a few blocks of my place, that makes biking a relaxing activity, not just a commuting tool.

I'll stop rambling now but feel free to ask questions if you have them.

Don't move out here unless you have a lead on a job. The market is very tough right now.
Every day i hear someone come into some place I am at and ask if they are hiring. Offices, restaurants, even manufacturing plants for cardboard boxes!


+1. My wife was laid off from her IT job in February of '09 and spent 5 months unemployed. She's got pretty specialized, in demand skills, but ended up with a job in Corvallis. She's down there 4 days, back 3 days, working about 60 hours a week on site and remotely.

The job market is turning around, but there's still ~10% unemployment in Oregon. Definitely find a job here first, or you'll end up like those starving fixie hipsters, gradually wasting away in their skinny jeans.

I agree with the 'job first' suggestions. Things are difficult all around.
Although it DID give me an idea. (more about that later)

Craig's list is next.

For the time being, I plan to rent unfortunately. It limits my choices, too bad.

After following one hated career for 15 years and nearly launching head long into ANOTHER hated career, I'm guessing its time to try a different route.

while Portland is a cycling friendly city, please don't move here because of that. I moved here a few years ago and I can barely stand the weather. I lived in Tampa for a few years as well and loved it there. I'd stay in Florida if it was me.

I don't get it. What's wrong with the weather?

Crimson: when I get to a computer ill photoshop you a little map that shows the easiest bikeable neighborhoods to live in.
Your best bet may be to stay with someone for a few weeks and go lean and mean until you find a place and job.
Know anyone that lives in the area?

Many people have trouble with the winters in the PacNW, specifically the amount of darkness (4pm-9am). There are a lot of high tech companies (Intel, HP, Tektronix, etc.) but that doesn't mean that they are hiring right now.

Corvallis and even Albany are nice towns that may be worth checking out.

while Portland is a cycling friendly city, please don't move here because of that. I moved here a few years ago and I can barely stand the weather. I lived in Tampa for a few years as well and loved it there. I'd stay in Florida if it was me.

Huh. I moved here after growing up in Southern California- El Lay, Santa Barbara (met my wife there), and San Diego. After moving up here I can't imagine moving back. Well, I imagine it and then I just giggle.

The weather's wonderful, and the seasons actually mean something.

Huh. I moved here after growing up in Southern California- El Lay, Santa Barbara (met my wife there), and San Diego. After moving up here I can't imagine moving back. Well, I imagine it and then I just giggle.

The weather's wonderful, and the seasons actually mean something.

I guess you're assuming that everyone is like you. I said I don't care for the weather. I didn't say everyone here hates the weather. If it's good for you, great. I have a hard time with it. My wife loves it here and that's why we're here. If it was up to me, I never would have left Florida. I like it hot and humid. That's where I grew up after all.

I don't get it. What's wrong with the weather?

Crimson: when I get to a computer ill photoshop you a little map that shows the easiest bikeable neighborhoods to live in.
Your best bet may be to stay with someone for a few weeks and go lean and mean until you find a place and job.
Know anyone that lives in the area?

I actually have a couple of connections there, I may look deeper into them in the near future.
Possible fly up and spend a week or two.

As for the weather? I've lived through the NE winter and the Colorado winters. I'll take the OR winter over the FLA summer (Feb-Dec) anytime.

Like I said, I'm just waiting for opportunity to strike.

Many people have trouble with the winters in the PacNW, specifically the amount of darkness (4pm-9am).

This basically gets harder for me every year. I light my apartment up so brightly that you can see my lights half a mile away. Fortunately I use CF lighting, so I'm not destroying the planet... The weather can be pretty nasty in the winter, but it's generally predictable, and can be dealt with. In Seattle, it will snow once or twice during the winter; usually more often than that without sticking to the ground. Otherwise, it will rain a lot, and even more often there will be very thick, gray clouds in the sky. The rain isn't quite so bad as the month that can go by without being able to see any blue in the sky or the sun. If you can deal with low temps ( averaging in the 30s I think ), some wind, and driving rain, that's the worst you'll regularly encounter. And there's clothing that makes all of this much, much easier.


As for the weather? I've lived through the NE winter and the Colorado winters. I'll take the OR winter over the FLA summer (Feb-Dec) anytime.

I was born in Denver, and mostly grew up in Connecticut. The Pacific Northwet isn't like either of these places. The Northeaster gets a lot of snow, which is at least dry. And Colorado, while it can rain for ten minutes around 3 pm a lot, gets plenty of sun, and longer days. And dry snow. I can't speak for Portland, but it's not uncommon in Seattle to see three inches of running water on the street, at least in downhill neighborhoods.

I'd still make the move, if you feel like that's the right choice. I've moved a lot in my life, and while it's not easy, it's usually very enriching. Just don't expect the winters to be pleasant. Although you've just missed that one.

Now, with that warning out of the way, "the region's best kept - there's nothing like summer in the Northwest." I'm sure I mangled the lyric.

Yes, the upside to the short days during winter are the very long days during summer (9pm with full daylight, etc.). I'm originally from Maryland and miss having a real Fall season. Other than that, I find the scenery during winter spectacular (especially in the gorge) & the rain to not be a major issue; heavy rain / thunderstorms are very rare, we usually get light rain for long periods of time.

As for neighborhoods, some downtown areas are better than others. I live out in the suburbs (previously Beaverton, now in Hillsboro) and I can bike to pretty much anything (<1 mile). Check out Google bike maps or Bikely to see some of the various routes through and around the city. The transit system works well, I know a few people who ride to the light rail and take it most of the way to work (thus increasing the places you can live in relation to your work location).

I hope you do make it out here. I'd say the best area for cyclists is in the city, particularly Southeast, but people ride everywhere. I live in the suburbs west of Portland and belong to a club called Portland Velo (http://portlandvelo.net). There are awesome rides out west of Portland in the hills & farmlands and basically throughout the entire state, for that matter. I cannot imagine living anywhere else.

I have lived in many places and they all have one thing in common. Nearly everyone who lives in a particular place says it is a great place to live (until they move to another place). Beware of P.R. Even the people who live in Lubbock, TX think they've got it good.

While Portland does have a few neighborhoods where there is a measurable percentage of year-round cyclists, nearly the entire population of the greater Portland area, like all of America at the moment, gets around by aggressive car driving. It's better than many places, but quite a ways from being anything a rational, objective person would call bike friendly. You are still going to be right-hooked, left-hooked, passed illegally, buzzed, flipped off and generally made to feel unwelcome. Don't expect any help from law enforcement, they think the bikes are the problem. On the upside, at least during the dry months, there are others sharing your path, which makes it easier to laugh off the jerks.

Good luck with the move and finding a helpful guide.

When I lost my job, it didn't take long for me to realize that it was *exactly* the opportunity I needed to take an extended bicycle journey. I'm so glad that I jumped when I had the chance, and glad too that I was able.

I suggest checking craigslist for short-term rentals, with duration terms that fit your personal need to explore. I lucked into a house-sitting opportunity in Washington State. Other posters mention the weather; the impact is a personal one that only you can experience. I hear a constant refrain: don't base a decision to move on the best two months of weather (the Pacific Northwest is amazingly beautiful in the summer!)

Good luck!

I have lived in many places and they all have one thing in common. Nearly everyone who lives in a particular place says it is a great place to live (until they move to another place). Beware of P.R. Even the people who live in Lubbock, TX think they've got it good.

While Portland does have a few neighborhoods where there is a measurable percentage of year-round cyclists, nearly the entire population of the greater Portland area, like all of America at the moment, gets around by aggressive car driving. It's better than many places, but quite a ways from being anything a rational, objective person would call bike friendly. You are still going to be right-hooked, left-hooked, passed illegally, buzzed, flipped off and generally made to feel unwelcome. Don't expect any help from law enforcement, they think the bikes are the problem. On the upside, at least during the dry months, there are others sharing your path, which makes it easier to laugh off the jerks.

Good luck with the move and finding a helpful guide.

Funny, I've lived and biked in and around Portland for 15 years, and none of those things has ever happened to me. More often than not I'll stop at a 4-way stop and get waved through by the driver on the cross street.

While Portland does have a few neighborhoods where there is a measurable percentage of year-round cyclists, nearly the entire population of the greater Portland area, like all of America at the moment, gets around by aggressive car driving. It's better than many places, but quite a ways from being anything a rational, objective person would call bike friendly. You are still going to be right-hooked, left-hooked, passed illegally, buzzed, flipped off and generally made to feel unwelcome. Don't expect any help from law enforcement, they think the bikes are the problem. On the upside, at least during the dry months, there are others sharing your path, which makes it easier to laugh off the jerks.

Good luck with the move and finding a helpful guide.

Actually, this kind of stuff happened to me more often when I lived in Eugene. No place is perfect, but Portland is about as good as it gets for bike commuters in the U.S. I actually preferred the road riding in Lane Co. though, so if cycling is your number one priority don't be afraid to check out Eugene.

while Portland is a cycling friendly city, please don't move here.Fixed.

Portland area, like all of America at the moment, gets around by aggressive car driving.

You are kidding me have you ever driven anywhere on the east coast?